Intuit ‘ FundWare

Intuit FundWare offers a solid package that’s been around since 1976 (previously American FundWare), and carries with it some of its DOS heritage, but offers a full-featured modern Windows interface that’s easy to learn and navigate. Version 7.30 brings numerous enhancements, including a new navigation interface, redesigned GL with a new table-drive ‘Smart Account’ chart of accounts feature and enhanced payroll and system administration features. After owning FundWare for about two years, Intuit announced on August 20, 2004, that it was planning to sell the product, so we can expect to see ownership changes within the coming months.

EASE OF USE/FLEXIBILITY – 5 Stars
The new navigation interface introduced in version 7.30 features a standard Windows drop-down menu system, a vertical module bar on the left side of the screen and a desktop work area. The vertical module bar displays a list of all installed modules. Clicking on the module name expands the list to display a list of data-entry, maintenance and processing functions for that module. The main work area is used for many different functions and can have any number of windows open at the same time. One of the items available for each module is a HomePage, which displays different information depending on which module is selected. For example, if you choose the GL homepage, you’ll see a dashboard panel that displays a user-defined list of account balances, a task list and a quick-select report list for that module.

Data-entry screens are very clean, consistent and well organized. Editing records starts with picking the desired customer, vendor, account and so forth from a list that lets you locate and sort items based on the predefined available fields. Once you select the desired record, the data screen opens a multi-tab window where the information can be edited.

MODULES/SCALABILITY – 5 Stars
FundWare is an integrated, modular system that lets the user purchase only the modules needed for their particular organization. Modules offered include GL, AP/Purchase Orders, AR, ADP to FundWare Import, Advanced Financial Reporting, Advanced Printer Control, Advanced Security, Allocation Management, Bank Reconciliation, Budget Preparation, Cash Receipts, Corridor, Electronic Time Sheets, F9 for FundWare, Fixed Assets, FundWare Connect, iData, Payroll, Project/Grant and Web Reporter.

Intuit FundWare is available in two versions: FundWare Pro serves smaller organizations with five or fewer users, while FundWare Enterprise is designed for larger organizations with more than five users. The Pro version utilizes Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE), which is included, as its database engine, while the Enterprise version requires Microsoft SQL Server 2000, which is a separate purchase and installation. Once the appropriate database engine is installed, installation of the FundWare modules follows a standard client/server product installation. There are two installation procedures: Client and Server. In a typical network environment, the Server installation loads programs and data onto a network server, while the Client install is used to place the necessary components on each workstation to access the centralized data. Two demo company data files are included for training before actually beginning live data entry.

FEATURES/FUNCTIONALITY – 5 Stars
GL and Project/Grant are very closely related modules, even sharing identical data-entry screens. Both have ID types, accounts, attributes, data items, journals and journal entries. Transactions in the GL must follow double-entry accounting rules, while transactions in Project/Grant can be single-sided, generally only include revenues and expenditures, and usually are not closed out at the end of each fiscal period. An account mask is used for filtering various processes and reports. This is a type of ‘wildcard’ search that allows you to specify a specific range or type of accounts.

A new feature in the GL module is the ‘Smart Account’ chart of accounts feature, utilizing a table-driven interface to simplify maintenance whenever you need to enhance or change your reporting system. Also, a new grid-based journal entry format is designed to streamline data entry including the use of the enter key and printable grids.

REPORTING – 5 Stars
Each module includes numerous reports that can be previewed, printed or exported. Reports have retained their character-based appearance, which gives them somewhat of an outdated look, but are still easy to read and well organized.

Introduced in version 7.20, the Advanced Financial Reporting (AFR) tool is designed to provide a high degree of control over an infinite variety of reports. As with most custom report writers, AFR is a little overwhelming initially. There are a number of sample reports included that can give you some ideas, as well as a fairly detailed tutorial that helps the user learn how to take advantage of its features. The report writer has five tabs ‘ general, columns, rows, headers and accumulators ‘ where various details about the custom report are defined. The columns and rows tabs have grid lists where information such as command, text, print control and account mask is entered.

The Advanced Printer Control module is also provided to add printing features such as MICR check printing, logos and graphics. The module has the ability to print checks with two stubs, as well as the ability to define forms to print multiple copies with different images on each printed copy. This option is useful for automatically printing additional copies of checks for internal record keeping.

SUPPORT/HELP – 5 Stars
The context-sensitive online help system provides adequate information for most day-to-day needs in the standard Contents/Index/Search format. For more in-depth information and searching, all user manuals are provided in *.PDF format. The support option, dubbed DirectConnect, offers numerous options to suit your needs. The DirectConnect Maintenance and Enhancements level provides product updates and enhancements to keep your modules current with the latest software available. DirectConnect Support offers four levels of support service: self-service, standard, premier and pay-per-call. Self-service includes access to the online knowledgebase. The standard option includes unlimited phone support via a toll-free number. The premier option provides a separate priority toll-free support number. Pay-per-call allows customers to purchase phone support on a cost-per-call basis.

RELATIVE VALUE – 5 Stars
FundWare is a mature program that demonstrates the kind of flexibility and features that can only be built up over time. Licensing is based on the number of users and modules purchased, and modules range between $1,295 and $3,995.

2004 OVERALL RATING:

To provide consistency, each review
takes into consideration six specific
areas that we believe are important
when considering an accounting package
for your nonprofit or governmental
organization. Most of the criteria
are self-explanatory. Ease of Use/Flexibility looks at the overall user

experience, and any special features that contribute
to a quick learning curve, modern
user interface and other setup features.
Modules/Scalability is generally a checklist of the modules that the

company offers, as well as a short summary of the underlying database technology, which

affects scalability or ability to serve a broad range of users.

Features/Functionality provides additional detail about the standard,

special or unusual capabilities offered by the package. The Reporting

section discusses the product’s built-in reporting capabilities, as well as any special

report writing tools available. Support/Help looks at the online help and

printed or electronic manuals available, as well as a summary of the company’s live

telephone support options. Relative Value is a category that takes all the

preceding categories and considers the overall pricing of the product relative to the

features it provides and audience it serves.

A number of the vendors offer very
informative materials to guide you
in your selection of an appropriate
not-for-profit accounting and reporting
solution. Take the time to look
carefully at the product’s
features, as well as request a demo
or even a reference for another
organization that may be similar
to yours.